Newborn allegedly goes missing at Karachi hospital, management denies birth

KARACHI: A newborn allegedly went missing from a private hospital in Karachi’s Nazimabad area after a woman underwent an operation for delivery, while the hospital management reportedly denied that a baby had been born, according to the family.

The incident took place at a private hospital in Gol Market, Nazimabad No. 3, where the woman was brought for delivery.

The family alleged that doctors performed an operation but did not hand over the newborn to them and later claimed that the woman had not been pregnant.

The woman’s husband, Arshad Iqbal, said his wife had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past seven months and had been brought there after her condition deteriorated.

According to Arshad, a doctor, identified as Dr Anjum, performed the operation. He alleged that after the procedure, doctors told the family that no baby had been born.

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Arshad said the family had ultrasound reports and other medical records documenting his wife’s pregnancy, which had reached 38 weeks. He questioned how doctors could deny the pregnancy after performing the operation.

He further alleged that the medical staff left after the operation without providing a clear explanation about the baby’s whereabouts, adding to the family’s concerns.

The family staged a protest at the hospital and, according to reports, some people also damaged property during the disturbance. Hospital staff allegedly left the premises following the incident.

Police reached the hospital after receiving information about the alleged disappearance and launched an investigation. Police are also seeking CCTV footage from cameras installed at the hospital as part of efforts to establish what happened.

Following the incident, the woman was shifted to another private hospital in North Nazimabad for medical treatment.

Police said different aspects of the incident were being investigated, including the family’s allegation that a newborn had gone missing from the hospital.

The hospital management, however, has denied that the woman gave birth to a baby.

Police said the actual circumstances would become clear after examination of medical records, CCTV footage and other available evidence.